By Will McGuirk
One of the Must See events of the calendar returns Saturday Oct 25 2025 to Massey Hall and thats the annual Dream Serenade fundraiser for Beverley School in Toronto. Organised by Hayden Desser and his wife Christie Greyerbiehl the event has presented some very fine artists of some reknown and also a very fine evening of performances. I’ve been lucky enough to go a few times and can testify to the beautiful community feel of the show.
This year the performers include Feist, The Sheepdogs, Matt Berninger of The National, Barenaked Ladies, Josh Rouse, Kevin Drew, and Hayden, plus special guests. Past performers include Gord Downie, Billy Talent, City and Colour, Howard Jones, Broken Social Scene, Jim Cuddy, Gowan, Serena Ryder, Bahamas, Sam Roberts, Shad, The Rural Alberta Advantage, July Talk, Elisapie, Sarah Harmer, William Prince, Haviah Mighty so its a who’s who and anyones guess who will slot into the special guests spots.
Dream Serenade began as a way to raise funds for a new playground at the school attended by DResser and Greyerbieh’s daughter’s school. Beverley is a school for children with developmental and/or physical disabilities. The event has grown to raise funds that directly assist hundreds of Toronto area families each year through the Summer Bursary Fund. Donations can be made at www.dreamserenade.ca.